BALDWIN HITS OUT

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 148, 19 March 1931, Page 9

BALDWIN HITS OUT

Reply to Press Vendetta PROPAGANDA METHODS ‘Untrue, Libellous, Caddish’ BY-ELECTION BITTERNESS By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright (Rec. March 18, 8 p.m.) London, March 17. Shouts of “Baldwin for ever!” greeted the ex-Premier as he stepped on the platform at the Queen's Hall to address St. George’s electors. In a fighting speech he scathingly criticised the Rothermere and Beaverbrook newspapers. He described them as engines of propaganda for the constantly changing policies, desires, personal wishes, likes and dislikes of their owners by direct falsehood, misrepresentation, and half-truths.

Mr. Stanley Baldwin referred to the “Daily Mail’s” comment that “The expression ‘insolent plutocracy’ came ill from Mr. Baldwin, as his father left him an Immense fortune, which, according to his own speeches, almost disappeared. It is difficult to see how a party leader who lost his own fortune can hope to restore that of others or the country.” Apology Valueless. Mr. Baldwin described the first part of the statement as a lie, the second by implication as untrue, while the whole could only be written by a cad. He added that counsel had advised that a libel action could be brought, “but,” said he, “an apology would be valueless, while I would not touch the damages with a barge pole.” Mr, Baldwin declared that these papers were aiming at power without responsibility, which was the harlot’s prerogative throughout the ages. When the “Daily Mail” was preaching a united Empire and the “Daily Express” running Empire free trade, both were simultaneously seeking advertisements from the United States. Instancing Lord Rothermere’s reference to the Zinovleff letter, Mr. Baldwin read a letter from Mr. Marlowe, editor of the “Daily Mall,” recalling that Lord Rothermere was unaware of the Zinovieff letter before publication. The “Daily Mail” then supported the Conservatives only with the most reluctant consent of Lord Rothermere, who believed in the Socialists then as winning all along the line throughout the world. Mr. Marlowe added that Lord Rothermere only asserted himself in 1926 after a speech in which Lord Beaverbrook alleged that Lord Rothermere obtained his peerage for services to the Liberals. lesson to World. Mr. Baldwin said that he had no doubt that Mr. Duff-Cooper would be returned, but he hoped that the majority would be a lesson to the whole world. Turning to policy, Mr. Baldwin emphasised the need for a wheat quota, which would enable assistance to the Dominions and also prevent dumping and a rise In price, whereas protection meant a tax of 27/- a quarter, equivalent to’ 2Jd. a loaf, which the industrial regions never accept. Lord Rothermere, replying to Mr. Baldwin, says the latter began the mud-slinging. “Either Mr. Winston Churchill or Mr. Neville Chamberlain is more capable than Mr. Baldwin to conduct the Conservative policy,” he adds. “Lord Beaverbrook and I are working not to split the Conservative Party but to bring it back to real Conservatism.” Mr. Baldwin unprecedentedly broke the rule that a party leader shall not participate directly in a by-election, but on his return to the House of Commons from Queen’s Hall, not only Conservatives but Liberals and Labourites congratulated him. All equally detest the Press vendetta of which Mr. Baldwin is the victim.